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Moderator

Meet fellow Caregivers - Introduce yourself

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Aug 27, 2016

Welcome to the Caregivers group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it is also very demanding and can be isolating. Let's use this space to connect with other caregivers, share experiences, talk frankly about the tough stuff without judgement and to provide a virtual shoulder to lean on.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Grab a cup of tea, or beverage of you choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 6, 2018
In reply to @rmftucker "I think my message got lost when I checked to locate the website of the University..." + (show)
@rmftucker

I think my message got lost when I checked to locate the website of the University of Iowa Hospitals series of Caregivers videos that is available online. You may have to sign in, but it costs nothing and these are worth it. You might pass the word.

My husband had been admitted to the ICCD Memory Unit almost a year ago now. I was noticing some situations with my husband in the ICCD Memory Unit where he had recently become a patient. I had noticed that the younger staff was not as patient or calming with many of the patients like my husband who tended to be combative if he didn't wish to do something. They were talking with very loud voices, quick movements, etc., when dealing with the residents. It was causing a lot of noise and confusion in the Unit, and only fueled more agitative behaviors among the residents.

When I received a questionnaire from the Care Center asking input on various topics, I replied at length about the videos being developed by the University of Iowa Hospitals for Caregivers and Providers that had just recently (fall of 2017) been put online at their website. We had viewed many of them at the Caregivers Support Group I had attended and given them feedback on several items to be included. When I visited a few weeks later I noticed a TV in the conference room that was on to what looked like an educational film. When I entered the Memory Unit, I overheard the nurses saying they were a little short handed that afternoon as staff was being pulled out for some workshops. During the weeks following I noticed a change in the atmosphere of the unit, so I think they were using my suggestions.
I think we all need to speak up about the low pay these people who are caring for our loved ones receive. They are doing a difficult job even on good days, and most of them really do care.

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Here is the link to the Family Involvement in Care online learning from the University of Iowa https://learn.uiowa.edu/browse/igec/courses/gec-1002
Thanks for the resource, @rmftucker

REPLY
chadknudson | @chadknudson | May 24, 2018

I am a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my children and parent at the same time. My dad lives on his own but I need to keep close tabs on him to ensure that everything is going alright. One tool that I use is TheirCare (https://their.care), a service that is delivered via smart TV that enables me to do video calls with my dad. He can answer my call with his TV remote and just talk to me from his recliner in his living room. I can call him from my computer or smart phone and get to see him and get an idea of how well he is doing.
Recently I have become concerned that he has dropped 17 pounds in the past 6-8 weeks and has been struggling with weakness in one of his legs.

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3 replies
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | May 24, 2018
In reply to @chadknudson "I am a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my children and parent at the..." + (show)
@chadknudson

I am a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my children and parent at the same time. My dad lives on his own but I need to keep close tabs on him to ensure that everything is going alright. One tool that I use is TheirCare (https://their.care), a service that is delivered via smart TV that enables me to do video calls with my dad. He can answer my call with his TV remote and just talk to me from his recliner in his living room. I can call him from my computer or smart phone and get to see him and get an idea of how well he is doing.
Recently I have become concerned that he has dropped 17 pounds in the past 6-8 weeks and has been struggling with weakness in one of his legs.

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Hello @chadknudson That service sounds interesting! I will have to check it out. I love how many new (for me) ideas in caregiving get shared here on Mayo Connect!

What has your dad's doctor said about that weight loss and weakness?

Strength, courage, and peace!

REPLY
chadknudson | @chadknudson | May 24, 2018
In reply to @chadknudson "I am a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my children and parent at the..." + (show)
@chadknudson

I am a member of the sandwich generation, caring for my children and parent at the same time. My dad lives on his own but I need to keep close tabs on him to ensure that everything is going alright. One tool that I use is TheirCare (https://their.care), a service that is delivered via smart TV that enables me to do video calls with my dad. He can answer my call with his TV remote and just talk to me from his recliner in his living room. I can call him from my computer or smart phone and get to see him and get an idea of how well he is doing.
Recently I have become concerned that he has dropped 17 pounds in the past 6-8 weeks and has been struggling with weakness in one of his legs.

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The doctor sent my dad to physical therapy to see if he could regain some strength in his right leg. The doctor also noticed that the reflexes for that leg were markedly less than his left leg. If after several weeks of physical therapy they do not see improvement in strength then they want to do an MRI.

REPLY
tcphonehome | @tcphonehome | May 25, 2018
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott @jeannie2 @jennyjones38 @jhammer @js119 @lindagee @lisa_sj9 @saltyfrog @shellsk24 @soul @sylviapf @tavi @ters1993
I'd like to invite you to the new Caregivers group. It's a space where we can share the ups and downs of caregiving, honestly and openly without judgement. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia, cancer, heart problems or whatever, please join us. Pull up a chair and tell us a bit about yourself.

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I have been caregiver for almost two years now as my main man has very short-term memory for quite some time now and he has diabetes and is blind in the right eye and his vision is failing in the left eye as well. He becomes very frustrated at times and i try and be very patient with his mood changes as depression sets in as well. We have been married since 1999 and i have such fine memories when we were both healthier and my husband could drive and we would take those special country drives together or just go out for coffee. It hasn't been easy a lot of the time being the main caregiver but my husband is a very kind and good person and it isn't his fault he has poor health at the age of 80. I shall be here until the end comes and never turn away from my soul mate, my husband.

REPLY
Mentor
Scott, Volunteer Mentor | @IndianaScott | May 25, 2018
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott @jeannie2 @jennyjones38 @jhammer @js119 @lindagee @lisa_sj9 @saltyfrog @shellsk24 @soul @sylviapf @tavi @ters1993
I'd like to invite you to the new Caregivers group. It's a space where we can share the ups and downs of caregiving, honestly and openly without judgement. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia, cancer, heart problems or whatever, please join us. Pull up a chair and tell us a bit about yourself.

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Hello @tcphonehome Nice to e-meet you here at Mayo Connect! I am sorry to read of your husband's healthcare journey and yours as a caregiver. You sound very much in love with your main man and that is so nice to read! I believe it is love, which fuels much, if not all, of what we as caregivers do! I also agree with you that as caregivers one of the tougher aspects is while we are with our loved one everyday, we cannot help but remember 'the better times'. I did it with my wife frequently and now that she's gone I miss those early days, when we were a healthy couple, and did the simple, everyday things. Funny how I think back and it is not to the trips we took or the fancy parties we attended, but the everyday things, which I know now were what bought us close in the first place! I miss all those so much --- as you do with your partner!

I lost the vision and hearing on my right side in December to a stroke, so I can also commiserate with your husband. I hope his sight in his one eye continues as best as can be hoped for.

You are also correct when you say "it hasn't been easy a lot of the time being the main caregiver..." Caregiving ain't for wimps that is for sure! Love may fuel us, but it is an amazing inner strength that pulls us through on the toughest of days! I also like to say this: There are no superheros in caregiving. Superman and Wonder Woman only exist in the comic books! We each can only do the best we can!

Thanks for posting and be sure to keep in touch! Caregiving can also be very isolating and Connect can help bust that isolation down at least electronically!

Strength, courage, and peace!

REPLY
braves11 | @braves11 | May 25, 2018
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @19lin @aasthapuri @adri @bbams @besrus5 @bina @burrkay @charlena @chesneydell1965 @clayton48 @coladyrev @dawn_giacabazi @dawn0202 @eaglesview @IndianaScott @jeannie2 @jennyjones38 @jhammer @js119 @lindagee @lisa_sj9 @saltyfrog @shellsk24 @soul @sylviapf @tavi @ters1993
I'd like to invite you to the new Caregivers group. It's a space where we can share the ups and downs of caregiving, honestly and openly without judgement. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia, cancer, heart problems or whatever, please join us. Pull up a chair and tell us a bit about yourself.

Jump to this post

Mom is 93. I am her only child. I stay with her at nights and have for 4 years. I have care givers with her during the days and some evenings. I leave her house at 7 and go to my
Home and get ready for work. I have no children. I have to get up 2 times a night to help
Mom to bathroom. The broken sleep is rough. I'm considering looking for an assisted living facility for mom but not sure she'd do well there. I'm tired all the time

REPLY
captainkenny | @captainkenny | May 25, 2018

Hi Colleen, Thanks for your welcoming me to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have shared a few times and need your help in navigating the system. I was diagnosed July 2017 with Giant Cell (temporal) Arteritis, and have appreciated pertinent shares on GCA, but so often get sidetracked to another unrelated group. Apparently I am not correctly unsubscribing from groups I’m not interested in following. Thanks for your help.

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 25, 2018
In reply to @captainkenny "Hi Colleen, Thanks for your welcoming me to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have shared a few..." + (show)
@captainkenny

Hi Colleen, Thanks for your welcoming me to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have shared a few times and need your help in navigating the system. I was diagnosed July 2017 with Giant Cell (temporal) Arteritis, and have appreciated pertinent shares on GCA, but so often get sidetracked to another unrelated group. Apparently I am not correctly unsubscribing from groups I’m not interested in following. Thanks for your help.

Jump to this post

Hello @captainkenny, If you click on your profile picture at the top of any Connect window and select Account Settings, then scroll to the bottom you will see Email Notifications where you can edit the notifications for Posts, Groups, Pages and more. You can also unsubscribe from all notifications at the bottom.

John
REPLY
captainkenny | @captainkenny | May 25, 2018
In reply to @captainkenny "Hi Colleen, Thanks for your welcoming me to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have shared a few..." + (show)
@captainkenny

Hi Colleen, Thanks for your welcoming me to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have shared a few times and need your help in navigating the system. I was diagnosed July 2017 with Giant Cell (temporal) Arteritis, and have appreciated pertinent shares on GCA, but so often get sidetracked to another unrelated group. Apparently I am not correctly unsubscribing from groups I’m not interested in following. Thanks for your help.

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Thanks John. I took your direction and we’ll see what happens.

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